Course Catalog 2005-2006

Division of Biological Sciences

Microbiology

Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, including the bacteria, yeasts, molds, viruses, protozoa and other microscopic parasites. Two options are available. The microbiology degree emphasizes microbial structure, function, and interactions and relationships with humans. The microbial ecology option emphasizes microbial structure, function, and interactions and relationships with the environment and other organisms including higher plants and animals.

A B.S. in microbiology is offered as a general degree or with an option in microbial ecology. Initial work provides the student with a working knowledge of the basic principles of the physical and biological sciences and mathematics. The remaining study is devoted to a more intense and broadened training in microbiology and allied fields, and may include independent study which offers the student an opportunity to prepare for graduate work.

Special Degree Requirements

Refer to the graduation requirements listed previously in the catalog. See index.

In addition to the General Education requirements, the following courses must be completed for the Bachelor of Science in Microbiology: Thirty two or more credits (300 level or above) in biology, biochemistry and microbiology including BIOL 340; MICB 300 301, 404, 410, 412, 420, and 450; four laboratory courses selected from MICB 309, 405, 411, 413, 415, 417, 421, 451, 497 (minimum of 3 credits), or BIOL 401; BIOC 380 or 481 482.

MATH 150; BIOL 108N-109N, 110N, 221, and 223; CHEM 161N 162N, 221 222, 223 224, 341; PHYS 121N 122N also are required.

Upper-Division Writing Expectation: To meet the Upper-Division Writing Expectations of the Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, students must successfully complete one of MICB 404, 418, or 420 or complete three courses selected from MICB 410, 411, 412, or 450.

Microbial Ecology Option: Within the microbial ecology option, a student may approach his or her studies from either a molecular/physiological emphasis or an ecological emphasis.

In addition to the General Education requirements and the Upper-Division Writing Expectation described above, the following must be completed for the Bachelor of Science in Microbiology with an option in microbial ecology: Thirty-two or more credits (300-level or above) in biology, biochemistry, microbiology including MICB 300-301, 404, 418, 422, 423, 450, and one other laboratory course selected from MICB 451 or BIOL 341.

MATH 150 (or 152), 241; BIOL 108N/109N, 110N, 221, 223 and 340; PHYS 121N also are required. In addition, students must complete the requirements in one of the emphases below.

Molecular/Physiological emphasis (required courses). BIOC 481/482 (or 380); either CHEM 161N and 162N or CHEM 151N, 152N and 154N; CHEM 221/222, 223/224. Additionally, at least 9 credits (including three in MICB) must be taken from the following: BIOL 341 (if this course was chosen as the laboratory course, it cannot be counted), 366, 400, 401, 413, 440, 444, 453, 454, 455; CHEM 341; CS 131; FOR 210N; GEOL 301, 382; MATH 153, 251, 444, 447; MICB 410, 412, 420, 451, 497.

Ecological emphasis (required courses). BIOL 366; BIOC 380; CHEM 151N, 152N and 154N; MATH 444; FOR 210N. Additionally, at least 12 credits (including three in MICB) must be taken from the following: BIOL 341 (if this course was chosen as the laboratory course, it cannot be counted), 400, 401, 413, 440, 444, 453, 454, 455; CHEM 341; CS 131; GEOL 301, 382; MATH 153, 251, 447; MICB 410, 412, 420, 451, 497. CHEM 221, 222, 233, 224 are recommended courses.

Suggested Course of Study

First YearAS
BIOL 108N-109N Diversity of Life and Laboratory 5 -
BIOL 110N Principles of Biology - 4
CHEM 161N 162N, College Chemistry and Laboratory 5 5
+MATH 150 Applied Calculus 4
+ENEX 101 Composition - 3
General Education - 3
Elective - 1
Total 14 16

+Depends on placement exam.

Second YearAS
BIOL 221 Cell and Molecular Biology 4
BIOL 223 Genetics & Evolution 4
CHEM 221 222, 223 224 Organic Chemistry and Laboratory 5 5
MICB 300 301 General Microbiology and Laboratory 5
Lower-Division Writing Course 3 -
General Education 3 -
Elective - 1
Total 15 15
Third YearAS
BIOC 380 and upper-division elective or 481-482 Biochemistry 3-4 3
MICB 410 411 Immunology and Laboratory* 5
MICB 412 413 Medical Bacteriology and Laboratory* 5
PHYS 121N 122N or 221N-222N General Physics 5 5
Electives 1-22
Total 15 15
Fourth YearAS
BIOL 340 Ecology - 3
CHEM 341 Quantitative Analysis and Instrumental Methods 4 -
MICB 404 405 Molecular Genetics and Laboratory* 4
MICB 420 Virology - 3
MICB 450 451 Microbial Physiology and Laboratory* 4 -
General Education 6 6
Total 14 16

*Laboratory requirement: MICB 301 plus four (4) other labs.

Requirements for a Minor

To earn a minor in microbiology, the student must complete MICB 300 301, 302 or 412 413, 410-411 and eight credits selected from MICB 404, 420 421, 450 451; BIOL 400, 401.

Courses

U=for undergraduate credit only, UG=for undergraduate or graduate credit, G=for graduate credit. R after the credit indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the R. Credits beyond this maximum do not count toward a degree.

Microbiology (MICB)

U 107N Elementary Microbiology Laboratory 1 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Same as BIOL 107N. Observation of live microorganisms, their characteristics and activities. Experience with microbiological techniques. Credit not allowed toward a major in microbiology.

UG 300 General Microbiology 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., CHEM 161N, 162N; prereq. or coreq., CHEM 221, BIOL 221. Microbial structure and function, growth and reproduction, physiology, ecology, genetics, environmental factors, control of microorganisms and sterility, antimicrobial agents, microbial diversity.

UG 301 General Microbiology Laboratory 2 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq. or coreq., MICB 300. Basic microbiology procedures and techniques.

UG 302 Medical Microbiology 3 cr. Offered autumn. Microbial structure and functions, pathogenic microorganisms, virology, immunology. Credit not allowed toward a major in microbiology.

U 309 Hematology 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., junior level or consent of instr., MICB 300. Study of blood and diseases of the circulatory system. Blood banking and serology.

UG 400 General Parasitology 2 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., BIOL 223. Same as BIOL 400. Parasitism as a biological phenomenon, origin of parasitism, adaptations and life cycles, parasite morphology, fine structure, physiology, parasites and their environment.

UG 401 General Parasitology Laboratory 2 cr. Offered autumn. Coreq., MICB 400. Same as BIOL 401. Taxonomy, morphology and identification of parasitic protozoa, helminths and arthropods.

UG 404 Microbial Genetics 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., MICB 300 and 301. The molecular genetics of prokaryotic organisms including: structure and replication of the prokaryotic chromosome; gene expression; mutagenesis and DNA repair; plasmids and other tools of genetic engineering; transmission of genetic material and recombination in prokaryotes; regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes; recombinant DNA and biotechnology.

UG 405 Molecular Genetics Laboratory 1 cr. Offered spring. Prereq. or coreq., MICB 404. Experiments in molecular genetics: mutagenesis, recombination, recombinant DNA.

UG 406 Clinical Diagnosis 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., MICB 412 413. Principles of blood chemistry, urinalysis, hematology and other clinical parameters of disease and health.

UG 407 Clinical Diagnosis Laboratory 1 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., MICB 406, 412 413. Clinical diagnostic methods.

U 408 Seminar 1 cr. (R 3) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., senior standing in natural sciences. Recent topics in microbiology and related subjects.

UG 410 Immunology 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., MICB 300 301. Modern concepts and methods in immunology.

UG 411 Immunology Laboratory 2 cr. Offered autumn. Coreq., MICB 410. Modern techniques for analysis of immune responses.

UG 412 Medical Bacteriology and Mycology 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., MICB 300, 301. A study of the pathogenic bacteria and fungi and the diseases they produce.

UG 413 Medical Bacteriology and Mycology Laboratory 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq. or coreq., MICB 412. Laboratory study of pathogenic bacteria and fungi.

UG 418 Fungal Biology 3 cr. Offered autumn even-numbered years. Prereq., BIOL 108N-109N and 221-223 or MICB 300 or consent of instr. Same as BIOL 418. Reviews the definition, evolution, genetics, physiology, and ecology of fungi (including organisms in the Chromista), provides overview of all fungal phyla (Chytridiomycota, Zygomycota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Hyphochytriomycota, Labyrinthulomycota, Oomycota), and highlights the importance of fungi to human affairs (food production, fungal pathogens).

UG 420 Virology 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., MICB 410. The general nature of viruses, with emphasis on the molecular biology of animal and human viruses.

UG 422 Microbial Diversity and Ecology 4 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., BIOL 221-223, MICB 300-301 or consent of instr. A broad overview of they physiological, phylogenetic and genomic diversity and ecology of microorganisms within a framework of general ecological principles. Focuses on microbial interactions with their environment at the level of the individual, population and community, including intimate associations with plants and animals. Surveys current methods for studying microbial ecology and diversity in the environment.

UG 423 Applied and Environmental Microbiology 4 cr. Offered spring odd-numbered years. Prereq., MICB 300 or consent of instr. Study of microorganisms and their relation to food, water treatment, agricultural, biotechnology/bioremediation and industrial processes. Includes field trips and specialized laboratory exercises.

UG 447 Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology 3 cr. Offered autumn odd-numbered years. Prereq., BIOL 110N and any ecology-themed course or consent of instr. Same as BIOL 447. Introduction to systems thinking and the ecosystem concept, review of water ad energy balance, carbon cycling and production processes, nutrient cycling, trophic dynamics, and species effects on ecosystem functioning.

UG 450 Microbial Physiology 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., MICB 300 301. Microbial structure and function, physiological diversity, microbial metabolism, role of microbial activity in the environment.

UG 451 Microbial Physiology Laboratory 1 cr. Offered autumn. Coreq., MICB 450. Experimental approaches to analysis of microbial structure, composition and metabolism.

UG 490 Medical Technology Internship 1-16 cr. Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instr.

UG 495 Special Topics 1 10 cr. (R 10) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of new courses, experimental offerings of visiting professors, or one time offerings of current topics.

U 497 Advanced Undergraduate Research 1 10 cr. (R 10) Offered every term. Prereq., MICB 300, junior or senior standing and consent of instr. Independent research under the direction of a faculty member. Graded credit/no credit.

U 498 Cooperative Education Experience 1 12 cr. (R 12) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of the Division. Extended classroom experience that provides practical application of learning during placement off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office.

U 499 Undergraduate Thesis 3-6 cr. (R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., senior standing and consent of instr. Preparation of a thesis or manuscript based on undergraduate research for presentation and/or publication. Student must give an oral or poster presentation at the Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium or a scientific meeting. Graded credit/no credit.

G 502 Advanced Immunology 3 cr. Offered autumn even-numbered years. Advanced topics and immunological techniques used in modern immunology.

G 509 Advanced Virology 3 cr. Offered spring add-numbered years. Prereq., MICB 420-421. Students are presented with research papers that have been pivotal to the understanding of important molecular or genetic concepts in virology.

G 520 Medical Parasitology 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., BIOL 400 or equiv. Offered alternate years. Epidemiology, pathology, immunology, diagnosis and treatment of protozoan and helminth parasites of humans. Stresses current advances in parasitology.

G 530 Grant Writing 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., graduate standing. Same as BIOC 530. Required course for biochemistry and microbiology graduate students. Students become acquainted with the grant writing process by writing grants that have received University approval for submission based on student research projects.

G 540 Microbial Pathogenesis 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., graduate standing. Current concepts in microbial pathogenesis. Focus on microbial virulence factors leading to disease and host responses to infection.

G 545 Advanced Topics in Microbial Ecology 1 cr. Offered every term. Prereq., graduate standing or consent of instr. Discussion of selected themes of the ecology of microorganisms with a focus on the recent primary literature.

G 546 Experimental Microbial Ecology 1 cr. Offered every term. Prereq., graduate standing or consent of instr. Focus on experimental design, methods, and presentation of experimental results in the area of microbial ecology.

G 570 Introduction to Research 1 cr. (R-2) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., graduate standing. Required course for biochemistry and microbiology graduate students. Instruction in basic research techniques, research equipment and reading in the relevant scientific literature. Students conduct research projects under faculty mentors of their choosing.

G 580 Training Seminar 1 cr. (R 2) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., graduate standing or consent of instr. Same as BIOC 580. A one semester offering required of all new students.

G 583 Lipids and Membranes 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., CHEM 370 or 372 and BIOC 482 or equiv. Same as BIOC 583. The chemistry and biochemical properties of lipids and their functions in biological systems. The structure and function of biological membranes are emphasized.

G 594 Professional Seminar 1 cr. (R 4) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., graduate standing or consent of instr. Same as BIOC 594. Presentation of current research in biochemistry and molecular biology by senior graduate students, faculty, and invited outside speakers.

G 595 Special Topics 1 3 cr. (R 6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., graduate standing. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.

G 597 Research Variable cr. (R 18) Offered intermittently. Prereq., graduate standing, one semester residence.

G 599 Thesis 1 10 cr. (R 10) Offered intermittently. Prereq., masters student in microbiology. Laboratory research for and preparation of a masters thesis.

G 685 Advanced Molecular Biology Laboratory 1 3 cr. (R 3) Offered autumn. Prereq., graduate standing. Modern molecular biology techniques.

G 699 Dissertation 1 10 cr. (R 20) Offered intermittently. Prereq., doctoral student in microbiology. Laboratory research for and preparation of a doctoral dissertation.